A Legacy in Brick and Stone: American Coast Defense Forts of the Third System, 1816-1867

When we visited Fort Pulaski in GA, the gift shop had the soft cover black-and-white version of this book. My mom bought that one, and when I decided I wanted one too (after our trip was over of course lol) I discovered this hardcover version had COLOR photographs. I'm glad we supported the fort with our purchase, but I'm also glad I ordered the color version on Amazon.This book is mostly about the construction or revision and architecture of forts built during the "third system" (I learned what that means from the book :) ) The author does not go into much history except as it relates to the design of the forts, so if you're looking for history this is probably not what you want. I like the information it gives, though I admit I sometimes skip over some of the details.

Really enjoy this book. This book is great who like to travel to the different forts. It makes you want to visit each one. Good photos, good prose on each place. Well done.

I have seen this book referenced in many other books on the topic. I finally decided to pay the high price to add it to my library. It did not disappoint.. It is a very thorough and a complete study on the subject with period photos defensive theory analysis. If you are a history buff and enjoy fortifications in particular, this is a must have. My only critique is that good, inexpensive copies are impossible to find.

A great read on the US system of fortifications that came as a result of the war of 1812.

Great informative book ,should be iin every history lovers library.

An excellent source of the Third System of forts that defended the country. Evidence of most of them can still be seen today although some are just about gone. Any serious student of military history would appreciate reading of each fort and making plans to physically visit them during their lifetimes.

This book is great. It does an excellent job of detailing the dozens of coastal forts that were built in the early to mid eighteen hundreds. Pictures of the forts concerned are superb and the author offers up a wealth of insightful information about each and every fort he writes about. As a person that enjoys giving tours of Fort Adams in Newport, Rhode Island, one of the many forts he has written about in this book, I can not say enough good things about this book.

A Legacy in Brick and Stone is the seminal work on the topic of American coastal fortifications and represents decades of research by Historian John Weaver. The book succinctly captures the intricate history of the 19th century American coastal defense strategy and explores its architecture, development, and effectiveness. Additionally, Weaver spotlights each of the forty-two Third System fortifications detailing their engineering history, unique features, while including vital information for those who wish to visit each fort. The 328-page revised and expanded edition released in 2018 includes hundreds of color photographs and diagrams that make for an engaging and informative experience for both the general public and serious researchers.Laid out in a logical and approachable manner, Part I is an overview of the Third System and introduces the important people, events, and philosophes that led to its development. Biographical sketches of key figures such as French Engineer Simon Bernard and General Joseph Totten contextualize the engineering genius utilized by the United States to design fortifications during the 19th century. Additionally, Weaver provides unique insight by identifying and summarizing many primary source documents, including detailed engineer reports. A thorough discussion about fort architecture, terminology, and engineering methodology, followed by an overview of 19th century artillery, provides background about design strategy. Rounding out Part I is fascinating analysis that substantiates the effectiveness of the forts through a study of several American Civil War battles that involved Third System forts specifically.Part II of A Legacy in Brick and Stone is a detailed, site by site study of Third System fortifications. Conveniently organized by geographical region, Weaver provides sufficient history, photographs, and diagrams to document the strategic purpose and lasting legacy of each fort. Full color photographs are a major improvement since the first edition of Legacy was published in 2001. Colorized diagrams allow for an in-depth understanding about each fort, facilitating an appreciation for the unique architectural characteristics found at each site. Also included is an extensive appendix that comprises a comprehensive glossary of fort terms with accompanying diagrams.The history of the American Third System of fortifications is complex and spans from 1816-1867. In A Legacy in Brick and Stone, John Weaver effectively investigates the events, people, techniques, and strategies of the Third System. Exquisite attention to the fine details of each fort that include hundreds of color photographs and diagrams, contributes significantly to the field of study related to military engineering, fort construction, and general American History. This excellent book offers a relevant and impeccably researched analysis of the American coastal fortifications of the Third System. Weaver’s revised and expanded edition is a masterful blend of technical writing, stunning photography, and stories that will entice even the uninitiated into quickly becoming an enthusiast of coastal fortifications.